Match 50 of IPL 2020 has changed the permutations and combinations for the race to the playoffs for the mid-table teams. Table-toppers Mumbai Indians are assured of a top-two finish while Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals need one win from their last two games to qualify. Kings XI Punjab’s loss to Rajasthan Royals dents their chances for the playoff, but they still are not out of it. Sunrisers Hyderabad benefit from KXIP’s loss while Kolkata Knight Riders too are in with an outside chance. RR’s slim opportunity to reach playoffs continues after their win on Friday.
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We look a the scenarios for playoff qualifications for each team
Mumbai Indians
MI sit pretty at the top of the table with 16 points and two games and can take them to 20 points. Even if they lose their two games they will still finish in the top two with 16 points as even though anyone from RCB or DC can finish on 18, MI’s NRR will be far superior to the next team finishing on 16 points.
Matches Remaining
Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Win one of their last two games and seal a playoff berth. Win both and finish in the top-two. Lose both games and they will end on 14 points bringing in to fray the NRR and they will be dependent on other results. Two losses will also dent their NRR and that could see RCB get eliminated as well.
Matches Remaining
Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals
Three straight losses and that too heavy ones have more or less undone the good work done by the Shreyas Iyer-led team at the start of the tournament. They still need one win to book a playoff spot and two wins will also ensure a top-two finish, but they will face teams higher than them in the points table in MI and RCB. So the road to qualification is not as simple as the equation. If they lose both their games, they end with 14 points, and with potentially two from KKR, RR, KXIP also in with a shot to reach 14, DC could lose out on NRR.
Matches Remaining
Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Kings XI Punjab
With a loss to RR, KXIP now have to ensure they win their last game against Chennai Super Kings and reach 14 points. Then, hope SRH lose one of their two games so does either one from RR or KKR, and hope their run-rate is better than either of the teams or at least one of them. RCB vs DC game will be crucial for KXIP as they will hope the loser of that match also loses their other match as well, bumping KXIP up the table.
Matches Remaining
Chennai Super Kings
Rajasthan Royals
Win over KXIP keep them alive and keeps the playoff race interesting heading into the final week. However, their chances are still slim with a not so great NRR. They face KKR in their final game and need to beat them to reach 14 points. From there on it is not in their hands and they will hope KXIP lose their last game and SRH one of their two. Also, the loser of RCB vs DC match needs to lose their other match as well for RR to sneak through on NRR.
Matches Remaining
Kolkata Knight Riders
Kolkata Knight Riders
Similar to RR, KKR have a thread-bare chance at qualification, They need to win their last game against RR to reach 14 points and hope none from KXIP, RR, and SRH reach 14 points. Anyone on 14 will beat KKR with superior NRR. For them to qualify, KXIP need to lose their last game, SRH need to lose one of their two. That will mean safe passage for the loser of DC and RCB game, even if the loser losses their other match.
Matches Remaining
Rajasthan Royals
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Win two and qualify with 14 points and superior NRR then KXIP, KKR, and RR; lose any one of their games and they are out – this is the equation for SRH. If NRR comes into play for SRH they will go through, but those two wins need to be against the two table-toppers — RCB and MI — easier said than done.
Matches Remaining
Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians
Chennai Super Kings
Beat KXIP and end their campaign. CSK will play for pride and will aim to finish on a high. A win against KXIP will narrow down the playoff race while and loss to KXIP will boost KL Rahul’s side’s chances, pushing out the likes of KKR and RR
Matches Remaining
Kings XI Punjab
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